A flexible ultrasound transducer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substrate having a central part and a plurality of extended parts extending from the central part; an ultrasound probe disposed at the central part of the substrate to acquire an ultrasound image of a region of interest; and a focused ultrasound output unit disposed at the extended parts of the substrate to output a focused ultrasound to the region of interest, wherein the focused ultrasound output unit disposed at the extended parts of the substrate has a flexible property and is deformable. According to the structure of an embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously achieve ultrasound imaging and ultrasonic therapy such as lesion stimulation or removal through focused ultrasound, and adjust the focal position of focused ultrasound or improve the focal sensitivity through flexible movement.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The flexible ultrasound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the array of focused ultrasound output elements are configured to output a focused ultrasound for treatment to the region of interest.
3. The flexible ultrasound transducer according to claim 2, wherein the focused ultrasound for treatment is Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound for stimulating the region of interest with low intensity or High-intensity Focused Ultrasound for removing a lesion in the region of interest.
4. The flexible ultrasound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound probe or the focused ultrasound output units include an ultrasound output element which is a micromachined ultrasound transducer (MUT).
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May 21, 2021
June 25, 2024
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